For Physicians and Other Health Care Providers

For Physicians and Other Health Care Providers

This area of our website is full of information for the doctors, nurses, and countless other health care professionals who care for nursing moms and their babies. We know it takes a village to support a breastfeeding family, and we look to you to provide accurate, evidence-based information and advice!

“Given the documented short- and long-term medical and neurodevelopmental advantages of breastfeeding, infant nutrition should be considered a public health issue and not only a lifestyle choice. The American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant.” — AAP’s Policy Statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (2012).

Infant Risk Center is a treasure-trove of helpful information on medication safety while breastfeeding. You can reference safety information by contacting the center directly or looking up information via their mobile app for HCPs (iPhone or Android). Dr. Thomas Hale, director of the Infant Risk Center, has also published the authoritative reference, Medications and Mother’s Milk, which is available online.

Note: Many moms find that the vi-Sol vitamins bother their baby’s stomachs due to all the artificial colors and preservatives. Please consider recommending a 2-ingredient drop available at health food stores such as Carlson’s or Baby D drops. Mom can drop a single drop on her nipple before nursing to administer it.

Thank You for Breastfeedingthumb cards for your patients, who feel comforted knowing you are an educated and supportive health care provider! Thanks for all you do to support us!

And, last but not least is support for YOU! Dr. Milk is an organization dedicated to physician support for breastfeeding because physicians are a high-risk breastfeeding group prone to early weaning. Dr. Milk has their own closed Facebook group too.